A witness told police James Combs, 34, approached him and asked him if he wanted to purchase his silver pit bull. When the witness said no, the dog reportedly began to run away from Combs.

Combs then allegedly caught the dog, slammed it against his car, kicked it and threw it in the trunk.

Officers caught up with Combs moments later and found the dog looking frightened in the trunk. Authorities saw no visible injuries and the dog appeared to be in good spirits.

Despite being described as aggressive by Combs, a video from the incident shows the dog looking gentle and meek when officers free her from the trunk.

“The subject claimed he had not struck the dog. He did kick at the dog, but he did not make contact with the dog, and he didn’t really see an issue with one, how he was transporting it and two, how he was treating the dog," said Marysville Police Deputy Chief Tony Brooks.

Combs faces two counts of animal cruelty.

“In our opinion, we do not believe it is reasonable to transport a dog inside a trunk of a car especially given the condition that was out that night, as cold as it was,” said Brooks.